Carley's POV

I'm in the kitchen and Kayde comes rushing in "Has anyone seen my shoes? I have to be there in an hour"

"She said around 10. You don't have to be there exactly at that time" I shrug. "There in the living room" David cuts in and Kayde nods and leaves the room.

"Will you quit being so off with him? He's just excited about going to the game is all" He frowns "Well it shouldn't be like this. The two of them have been texting and calling each other since Sofia and Michael came over... not once has she tried to talk to me" I mutter that last part. "The only time she spoke to me was when I answered Kayde's phone while he was in the bath and she just asked for him. She didn't even ask how I was"

"Michael said she'd be like this at first. We just need to give her time... and it's Leanne not Sofia. She's not our baby anymore, but we still have a chance to get to know her" he says that last part softly. "I can't believe your taking Michael side again" I frown. "Do you really think he gives a crap about us getting to know her!? He's probably just saying that so we don't try and get close to her. He did it before remeber and.. "

"And he also brought her to our house so we could finally meet her" he cuts me off. "I understand why you hate Michael so much and with the things he's done in the past. Apart if me hates him too and..."

"Then why are you always sucking up to him and acting like your his friend?" I cut him off. "Because like it or not. Michael has been there when she needed him the most and they've been through alot together and she went to live with Michael when she was 16 and..."

"Because he bought her and..."

"Regardless of why she first went to live with him.. She did" he cuts me off "The fact is she did and he's spent the last two years taking care of her by himself and in a way he had a part in raising her"

"And also married her an took her virginity. You don't think there's something wrong with that?"

"It's weird I know, but so is this whole situation and there's nothing we can do about it can we? And sitting here complaining and getting jealous that she talking to Kayde isn't gonna change that"

"I'm not jealous" I frown and he raises an eyebrow at me not saying anything and I sigh heavily.

"I just always pictured things would be different when we found her is all. I'm her mother. It should be me she wants to get to know and.."

"But in her eyes your not. Just like I'm not her father and just like you, it kills me knowing she doesn't think of me as her dad, but she's safe and she's finally in our lives. Don't push her away by being all clingy and pushy about getting to know her. Just let it happen gradually. You heard what Michael said. We have to let her come to us" he says softly.

****
Leanne's POV

"Did you just see that!?" Randy frowns "he just knocked my phone right of the table"

"He's a kitten. Bugsy likes to bat at things too sometimes. It's just a cat thing" I shrug. "No! He purposely pushed my phone of the table! He looked at me as he was doing it"

"I think your being a little paranoid" Michael chuckles and TJ walks in. "What's going on?"

"Their cats knocked my phone off the table! I don't know why I come here sometimes" Randy mutters. "Jeez. I'll get you a new iPhone after The game. Chill out" Michael rolls his eyes.

"I still don't get why you hate cats so much" TJ shrugs, and walks over and strokes Titch. "Not all. Just those two assholes" he frowns, pointing at Bugsy and Titch. "It's only you they don't like. Maybe your evil. Animals cat sense stuff like that" I shrug and he's about to speak when my phone beeps and it's Kayde.

"Is everything ok?" Michael asks and I nod. "Kayde just texted me for directions. He said they were a little lost" I mutter. "They as in.. You know?" Randy cuts in and I nod. I guess their driving him up hear... anyway, I should probably go get dressed before he gets here. I smile changing the topic and go upstairs to changed.

As I'm on my way back down, the door knocks and it's Kayde. "Hey! You all ready for the game?" He smiles giving me a hug and I notice Carley and David driving away and I'm not sure how to feel about that. I assumed they would have said hello to me or something, but they didn't even bother to get out of the car and just drove off.

"You ok?" Kayde asks, bringing me from my thoughts. "Um.. yeah. I'm fine. Come in. Everybody's in the kitchen" I smile, inviting him in. 

We go into the kitchen and I introduce him to Randy, TJ "Annabelle and Ryan are with Janet right now, but you'll get to meet them when we get to the game I smile.

"I can't wait" he smiles and we all go into the livingroom. "I can't believe you actually own all this! This place is huge!" He says, looking around. "It's just a standard sized house" Randy shrugs. "Nah, this place is amazing! I wish my parents had.. um.. I mean.. our.."

"I really like you house too" I smile, cutting him off before things get akward. "So what time does the game start?" He asks changing the topic. "It doesn't start for another hour, but I'm playing so we have to get there early" TJ smiles and we start getting ready to leave.

****
Carley's POV

"When I said we need to let her come to us, didn't mean just drive away and not speak to her" David says on the way home. "What's the point? She obviously wants nothing to do with me and I don't blame her either" I mumble. "Of course she will! She just needs time to take it all in is all" he tries to reassure me. "Or she's seen the life she would have had and is greatfull she want kidnapped. Let's face it. She has everything. She's 18 and owns a huge freaking mansion and her own business for God's sake and did you see the fancy cars her and Michael have? Their was 4 of them!"

"Maybe 2 of them belong to someone else. For all we know they have other people coming over and so what if she lives in a big house? It's just a house" he shrugs. "It's more than that. She has everything anybody could want. Her own business, huge house an husband and..."

"Money isn't everything Carley" he cuts me off. "No, but it shows how much better her life was without me"

"Your her mother"

"Not to her remember?" I mutter under my breath. "I've heard the way she talked about them when I worked at the hotel. The things she'd say was like they were the most perfect parents in the world"

"And to her they probably were and I'm sure there were bad times too, but their dead so of course she's only gonna want to talk about the good times. Nobody's a prefect parent. I'm sure Leanne and Michael aren't perfect parents either"

"From what I've seen they are" I shrug. "Well you don't see what's behind closed doors and I can guarantee that they've made a few mistakes. All parents do. You need to stop over thinking everything and comparing lifestyles. Money doesn't make somebody a better person.

****
Michael's POV

I know I told them it would take time and to let Leanne come to them at her own pace, but I was really suprised that Carley and David drove away they way they did. She didn't make a big deal about it an acted like she didn't even notice them drive away, but I could see Leanne was a little upset about it.

While Leanne is busy talking with Janet, I took the opportunity to try and get to know Kayde a little better since I didn't really get to talk to him much when we first met and I'm suprised by how alike his personality is to Leanne's and I can see why the two of them bonded straight away.

Things are going really well, but I notice Kayde seems a little off about something. "Is something bothering you?" I ask and and he doesn't say anything for a moment.

"Does Leanne hate our parents?" He asks and I shake my head. "Of course she doesn't. She has no reason to hate them"

"Then why doesn't she wanna talk to them?"

"It's complicated. It's not that she doesn't want to. It's just really difficult and confusing for her"

"What's confusing about it?" He asks still confused. "Its hard to explain, but she's been through alot and to find out something like this is hard for anybody. She does want to talk to them, but apart of her feels guilty and she feels like by getting to know you guys, she's somehow betraying her parents"

"She isn't betraying anybody" he shakes his head. "And I've told her that many times, but right now she's in kind of a limbo about everything and she just needs time to take it all in" I explain and he nods.

"They never stopped looking for her. They always believed they'd find her someday... but I think my mom kinda thought it would be different when she came home" he mutters that last part. "Different in what way?" I ask and he tells me about Carley always making space for her at the table and every Christmas then put presents under the tree and always buy her gifts and do something special on her birthday.

"They've always done that?" I ask suprised and he nods. "Mom said it's because she didn't want her to come home and not feel like she was apart of the family. They even have a room made up for her. It was the first thing they did when we moved here. They've always struggled for money and trying to get work and stuff, but they always made sure Leanne had something every year on her birthday and spent what little they had so they could moved up here to be closer to her"

"That's really sweet of them to do that all these years.

"Mhm.. It's kinda funny because just before you guys knocked on the door, me and my dad were actually talking about it and were saying it was pointless for my mom to keep a place for her at the table when we knew she wouldn't come back... then she did" he chuckles slightly, making me do the same.

"Do you think she'll ever want to get to know them?" He asks and I nod "She does want to. It's just gonna take time" I smile and he's about to speak when Leanne and Janet walk over.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

"Just this and that" I smile, pecking her lips. I didn't tell her about what Kayde said because right now because everybody's have a great time and I really don't won't to ruin it by putting pressure on her. It's best to tell her something like this when we're alone.

*****
Leanne's POV

After the game we all went with TJ and the others for pizza to celebrate our team winning, then head home to wait for Carley and David to pick Kayde up and I'm starting to feel really nervous about it for some reason. I know they'll probably just wait in the car and drive away, but I'm still nervous.

I go into the kitchen to get a drink and Michael follows me in. "Is everything ok? You seem like somethings bothering you"

"Mhm. I'm fine. I was just getting a drink" I nod and fake a smile."what's really bothering you?" He asks raising an eyebrow. "I'm just a little nervous is all" sigh and tell him why I'm worried and he turns and closes the door and comes back to me.

"What are you doing?" I frown confused. "You have nothing to be nervous about. All they wanna do is just get to know you is all"

"Then why did they just drive off this morning?" I shrug. "Because they don't understand what's going through your mind right now and their giving you space and don't wanna make you feel pressured to talk them" he says softly and I dont say anything back.

"I know it's hard for you to take in and this is all confusing for you, but Carley and David love you and..."

"They don't even know me" I shake me head. "And they won't get to if you don't give them a chance. Did you know that on your birthday and christmas they always get you gifts and do something special and even save a place for you at the table incase you ever came back?"

"They did?" I frown confused and he nods. "They even have a bedroom set up for you. I was talking Kayde earlier and he told me they've been searching for you for all these years and they didn't want you to come home thinking you didn't have a place with them. I'm not saying you should forget about your mom and dad, but at least give Carley and David a chance"

"I can't. I'm sorry but.."

"You went to their house last week. And that was a huge step and..."

"That was mistake. I should have just keft it alone" I cut him off and he doesn't say anything for a moment

"They packed up their whole life and moved all the way from Indiana just to be close to you. Just talk to them" he says softly and I'm about to speak when there's a knock at the door and Michael leaves to answer it.

"Hey. C'mon in. Leanne's just in the kitchen" I hear Michael say and I stand nervously as Carley walks into the kitchen with Michael.

"Hi" Carley smiles nervously and I smile back at her through pursed lips.
"I'll just go see where Kayde is" Michael says, leaving the room and I'm about to say something, but he walks out, closing the door before I can speak.

"So.. um.. how was the game?" Carley asks trying to ease the tension. "Our team won" I mumble and she nods, not saying anything for a moment. "How's things with you?" She asks "Thing's are good. And you?"

"Not too bad" she smiles through pursed lips. "How's your twins? They must be getting big now"

"Yeah. Their 6 months now" I smile and she nods and I can see she's isn't sure what to say.

"Um.. Their in the living room if you wanna meet them?" I mumble "Are you sure?" She asks and I nod and smile slightly.

****
Michael's POV

I felt really bad when Kayde told me that his parents didn't have alot of money and I didn't want to come across as arrogant and bruise his ego by offering to give David money so I told him about some upgrades I'm doing at the hotel and thought maybe offering him work would be a better way to go.

"It's a pretty big job so it'll take awhile, but I will pay you well. I just need it doing soon"

"Of course! Just let me know when you want me to start" David smiles.

We continue talking about the job and Leanne walks in with Carley. "Hey.. umm.. Carley wanted to meet Ryan and Annabelle" she says unsure. "Of course she can" I smile and Carley slowly walks over to them in their bouncers "Their beautiful" she smiles

It's a little akward at first, but after a few moments Carley starts to feel a little more comfortable and even holds them and I can see Leanne is still feeling unsure about her and David being here. Especially when Carley looks at the photos on the fireplace of her with Ryan and Anna.

"Was that from a party?" She asks pointing at one of the photo's of Leanne and she's dressed in a princess dress and smiling with Anna and Ryan "Yeah. It was my ninth birthday. We always had a themed birthday party. I was really into Disney then" Leanne explains and Carley nods and smiles at her through pursed lips and looks unsure what to say and there's an akward silence.

"Um.. seems like you had a fun childhood. Was this from a vacation?" She asks pointing at another of Leanne and Anna on the ski slopes. "Yeah. It's was when we went to Canada. None of us knew how to ski.. but it was still fun" Leanne mumbles that last part and again Carley doesn't say anything for a moment and glances over at David briefly then turns back to Leanne.

"What was they like?" Carley asks and Leanne looks at her confused. "Your mom and dad? You two look really close"

"We were" she smiles slightly "but I spent more time with my mom because my dad worked in a hostpital so my mom would always take me to work at the restaurant with her"

I could see it was hard for Carley to refer Anna as Leanne's mom, but as soon as she did, Leanne seemed to be a little more relaxed and started talking more about her childhood. And what her parents were like.

****
Carley's POV

Me referring to Ryan and Anna as Leanne's parents was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but as soon as I did she became a little more relaxed and talked to me more.

When we get home, Kayde goes upstairs to get ready for bed and David joins me in the living room. "Are you ok?" He asks and I nod, not saying anything.

"I know it was hard for you, calling someone else her mom. It was hard for me too hearing her call someone else dad" he says softly. "Do you think I shouldn't have?"

"They were her parents.. in her eyes anyway. And by the sounds of it, they really loved her and took care of her" he smiles and I sigh slightly. "I spent years terrified of who had her and praying she was still alive and wasn't being abused or all the other things that ran through my head and hearing her talk, it was like she had the perfect childhood"

"And that's a bad thing?" He looks at me confused and I shake my head. I thank God that she's still alive and she was happy and loved, but hearing her referring to them as her parents kills me and can see now why she wants nothing to do with us"

"She never said that. She was sitting talking to us for over an hour and she even came to our house. If she wanted nothing to do with us then she wouldn't have done that. She may not call us mom and dad, but she's still slowly letting us into her life and letting us get to know her. And all this comparing yourself to Ryan and Anna is riduliculous. She clearly Leanne doesn't care about money or social status. She likes people for who they are not what they have" he smiles slightly. "But it wasn't her that invited us in. Michael did and he was the one that brought her to our house"

"Maybe she needed him there for support. If having Michael with her all the time makes her feels safe then that's ok. I know you can't stand him after what happened with him and Leanne in the past, but he clearly loves her and I was talking to him while you were both in the kitchen and he seems like a really nice guy. He even offered me work doing some upgrades on his hotel" he smiles slightly and I'm about to speak and my phone beeps and I get a message from Leanne.

From: Leanne
We're having a christening for Ryan and Annabelle in two weeks.  Your welcome to come if you want or your not to busy

****
Leanne's POV

I'm looking at my messages and Michael comes into the room. "Did she text you back?"

"Mhm.. She said they'd love to come" I mumble. "Maybe I shouldn't have..."

"Yes you should" he cuts me off. "If you want to get to know them and you want them in your life, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Ryan and Anna will always be your mom and dad, but that doesn't mean you can't still have Carley and David in your life" he says softly and I don't say anything and he wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to him.

"Everything's gonna be ok" he says softly and I smile slightly, praying he's right and I haven't just made a huge mistake by inviting them.